circumnutate

[ sur-kuhm-noo-teyt, -nyoo- ]

verb (used without object)

, cir·cum·nu·tat·ed, cir·cum·nu·tat·ing.

1. (of the apex of a stem or other growing part of a plant) to bend or move around in an irregular circular or elliptical path.

Other Words From

• circum·nu·tation noun
• cir·cum·nu·ta·to·ry [sur-k, uh, m-, noo, -t, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -, nyoo, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumnutate¹

1875–80; circum- + nutate < Latin nūtātus, past participle of nūtāre to nod in assent, sway, totter

Related Words

• amble
• cruise
• drift
• float
• hike
• meander
• ramble
• roam
• saunter
• straggle
• stray
• stroll
• traipse
• trek